THE independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking local people how many councillors they think should represent West Devon Borough Council in the future.

The six-week public consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will also consider changes to the number, names and boundaries of the council's wards.

The commission has considered evidence submitted to it by the council and is now consulting residents on a proposal that would see the authority represented by 31 councillors, the same as the current arrangement. The commission is asking local people whether they think 31 is still the right number of councillors for West Devon or whether there should be more, or fewer, councillors in future.

Max Caller, chair of the commission, said: 'This is your chance to shape your council for the future.

'Once we have taken a view on the number of councillors, we will re-draw ward boundaries to accommodate those elected members and we will ask local people to have their say during that process as well.'

 Further information about the review is available at http://www.lgbce.org.uk">www.lgbce.org.uk

Residents can have their say directly at consultation.lgbce.org.uk

Write to the review officer (West Devon), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.

The current phase of consultation closes on October 14. The Commission will publish its proposal on the total number of councillors in November 2013 and then begin to gather information to help draw up new ward boundaries.

The commission aims to publish its draft recommendations for a new pattern of wards for West Devon in April 2014 when it will consult local people again. Final recommendations are due to be published in October 2014 and the new electoral arrangements would come into effect for the council elections in 2015.